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Alternative Breaks

The Alternative Breaks Program provides students with the opportunity to learn about political and social community dynamics while becoming a catalyst for collaborative social change. Through learning and practice, students will explore the theory of integrating service, education, and reflection to create meaningful change in their communities.

Last year over 280 NYU students traveled across the world to spend their winter break, spring break and weekends working with various host communities on such issues as literacy, poverty, homelessness, racism, immigration, disaster relief, and the environment.

Our vision is a society of effective citizens: people who value the community as a priority when making life decisions. As part of the Alternative Break experience, participants will become more educated and experienced in all sides of a social issue. Upon return, they will be empowered to make more informed decisions and take meaningful action that supports a greater good. They will become contributing members of society and will weigh in on issues that impact their community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Alternative Breaks provide students the opportunity to participate in a year-long experience exploring social, political, and cultural dynamics of a communiy. Through learning and practice, students explore the theory of integrating service, education, and reflection to create meaningful change in their communities.

Service-Learning is a particular form of experiential education and a teaching method which combines community service with academic instruction as it focuses on critical, reflective thinking and civic responsibilities. Service-Learning programs involve students in organized community service that addresses local needs, while developing their academic skills, sense of civic responsibility and commitment to the community. The course is competency-based and credit bearing. The service is related to a particular academic major or field of study.

If accepted for an Alternative Break academic course, you will be required to register. You will receive course registration information once accepted into the program. YOU MUST HAVE AVAILABILITY IN YOUR ACADEMIC SCHEDULE TO PARTICIPATE IN A TRIP WITH AN ACADEMIC COURSE.

Each academic course will meet before departing for your trip and after the trip takes place. Full attendance at course sessions is required.

If you are not able to meet these requirements, please do not select one of these academic course trips.

After checking out the website and becoming familiar with our program, fill out the online application. Be sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations for Site Leader/Participants. Site Leader applications are available mid-march and participate application are available early September each year.

If this is your first experience with Alternative Breaks, co-curricular service learning, or community service, we recommend you apply for a Participant position. However, if you have participated in one of our Alternative Break trips in the past, are familiar with service-learning and possess demonstrated leadership abilities, or have led a community service trip previously, we encourage you to consider applying for a Site Leader position. Site Leader applicants may request to be considered for Participant positions as well.

Please note that participation in the Alternative Breaks Program is a full-year commitment. Groups will travel during Winter Break, Spring Break, and select weekends throughout the year. Please visit the trip page of the website for exact dates of travel for each trip.

The final decision of placement is made by the Alternative Breaks Advisory Board. Applicants will have an opportunity to select up to 4 of their top choices for both international and domestic sites on the application, and the student placement committee will do their best to place students on their highest preference.

You are responsible for talking with your physician and looking on the Center for Disease Control website to make informed choices of which immunizations you will need.

The staff at the NYU Student Health Center Travel Medicine are prepared to provide you with the latest health information and immunization services for your trip. The earlier you prepare for your trip abroad, the better. Please contact Travel Medicine as soon as you know that you are traveling to determine your travel health requirements. We advise you to schedule appointments 4-6 weeks in advance of your trip if possible. To schedule your Travel Medicine appointment, please call the Student Health Center at 212-443-1188.

Only fully matriculated students who are in good standing with the University and are not University faculty, staff, administrators, or alumni are able to participate in the Alternative Breaks Program.

The Alternative Break program makes every effort to ensure that students with disabilities can participate successfully in Alternative Break programs. Please be aware that we cannot guarantee that facilities or support services will be available at each location in the same range and quality as on the NYU campus. We encourage students with disabilities to meet with staff Center for Student Activities, Leadership and Service or the Moses Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) to discuss accommodation needs and identify appropriate sites.

Alternative Breaks were founded as an alternative to the typical spring break experience. Alcohol affects group dynamics, participant safety, the local community, the University, and the national alternative break student movement. As members of Break Away, we adhere to the 8 Quality Components, including alcohol free breaks.

As with any volunteer program, cost is a factor. The Alternative Breaks Program is partially subsidized by the NYU Center for Student Activities, Leadership and Serivce, but each student accepted into the program must fundraise to help underwrite their experience.

Participants are expected to fundraise with their group and on their own. Group fundraisers are matched by the Alternative Breaks Advisory Board dollar for dollar (to a pre-determined amount each year).

The Alternative Breaks Program also welcomes the support of family, friends, and alumni by making a tax-deductible gift to the NYU Alternative Breaks Program.

All payments to the Alternative Breaks Program are accepting in cash or check (made out to New York University) at the Center for Student Activities, Leadership & Service Kimmel 704). Students may authorize Alternative Breaks to charge their Bursar Account for any amount due.

The NYU Center for Student Activities, Leadership & Service is a recipient of a Green Grant that helped purchase outdoor equipment that makes the environmental trips possible. Click the logo above to learn more about environmental sustainability at NYU.